as in tale
a traditional description of imaginary events circulated orally among a people
West African folktales that continue to be passed from generation to generation through storytelling
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Recent Examples of folktale
Oliver Park’s directorial debut is based on the Jewish folktale about the female demon Abyzou, which (believe it or not) happens to be perfect fodder for a horror film set at a Hasidic funeral home in Brooklyn.
—
Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
Described as a gritty neo-noir folktale, the film is set in rural Missouri and turns on a young man who struggles to keep his family together in the midst of a tragedy.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Freudians and evolutionary psychologists trawled folktales for evidence to shore up their theories.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Later, the look became incorporated in folktales as the attire of grim reapers.
—Claire Wang, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
Described as a gritty neo-noir folktale, the film is set in rural Missouri and turns on a young man who struggles to keep his family together in the midst of a tragedy.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Freudians and evolutionary psychologists trawled folktales for evidence to shore up their theories.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Later, the look became incorporated in folktales as the attire of grim reapers.
—Claire Wang, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folktale
Noun
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Some readers might expect an indictment of fan fiction and celebrity culture; Yi swerves, though, and creates a more searching and subversive tale of love, connection, and art.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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In pitting his offspring against each other in a battle for the family empire Rupert Murdoch became part of a tale as old as time… A tale well told in Gabe Sherman’s Bonfire of the Murdochs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Owens and her parents, KGO 810 radio legend Ronn Owens and former KCBS reporter Jan Black, moved to Arizona during the coronavirus pandemic, after Ronn Owens retired from KGO-810 after 46 years.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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Clemson went on to win the ACC championship in ’67, and Howard’s line and the rubbing of the rock became legend.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This single-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and two baths.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These passages reflect how divided the planet once was, how easily myths about the United States could become rooted in other countries.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
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Some people believe that propane tanks explode from freezing temperatures, but this is a myth.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Idaho has history of laws targeting trans people Over the past several years, the Idaho Legislature and lawmakers across the country have passed a series of bills targeting transgender youth and adults, several of which are now being litigated.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s words and actions now have observers reaching for the history books.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Jennifer Aniston has found love with wellness coach and hypnotist Jim Curtis after a string of high-profile romances with fellow Hollywood stars, including Brad Pitt, Justin Theroux, Vince Vaughn and John Mayer.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable and even scary, cozy romances offer the perfect escape.—
Emilia Emerson,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folktale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folktale. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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